DELRAY BEACH, Florida — SW 8th Ave. Officers approached the home after they say they smelled marijuana smoke.
20-30 people formed a barrier between the officers and the house to keep them from investigating where the smell was coming from.
When the officers realized they were being blocked, they called for more units.
Two additional officers arrived minutes later.
People living at the house where this happened said the man accused of having the marijuana was in the street.
They said police barged onto their property when they had nothing to do with the situation.
Officers say the crowd became “aggressive” and one person assaulted one of the officers by striking him in the chest.
Police say another person picked up a recycling bin and threw it at another officer.
Officers say the windshield of a patrol car was smashed when someone in the crowd threw an object.
According to police, the crowd quickly grew from 20-30 people to around 60-70 people within minutes.
One of the officers, who says he feared for his safety because they were outnumbered, sprayed mace into the crowd.
The officers were unaware that there was a pregnant woman in the crowd.
The residents said they asked the police to leave their property, but the police pulled out night sticks, handguns and mace.
Residents did admit a large crowd formed around the house. They said police did not communicate with them professionally which escalated the situation.
Four people were arrested for obstruction. Both the pregnant woman and the officers are okay, WPTV reported.
#BREAKING: Two officers assaulted, Police cruiser damaged in Delray Beach.. At least 4 people arrested pic.twitter.com/J3xF2STm51
— Juan Diasgranados (@JuanDwptv) December 28, 2014
Developing.
Home Breaking News BREAKING: 70+ People Surround Cops, 2 Officers Assaulted, Squad Car Damaged In...